As part of efforts to ramp up safety on waterways as well as harness its blue economy potential, Bayelsa State government will establish a marine safety task force and create economic zones to be known as Fish Cities.
Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday during an event tagged: ‘Expanded stakeholders’ validation for the Bayelsa State Marine and Blue Economy Draft Policy’ organised by the state’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Yenagoa.
The state governor said security on waterways is key if the state will benefit from the wealth in its maritime domain.
He noted that the life of Ijaw man had been centred around water and that establishing the Ministry of Blue Economy in the state reflected the nature and essence of the people of Bayelsa and Ijaw at large.
He explained that his administration will set up fish cities to move the fishing occupation of the Ijaw man from subsistence to commercial level as it is a way for the state to reap the benefits from the resources in its blue economy.
Diri further stated that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and that of the state demonstrated the seriousness of government in making the most of the opportunities in the blue economy sector.
He said that his administration’s investment in infrastructure such as the three senatorial roads, which all lead to the Atlantic Ocean, will create opportunities for young people to make a living.
According to him, globally, the blue economy sector is valued at over $1.5 trillion annually.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, said the policy framework was borne out of a collective desire to transform Bayelsa into a model for sustainable marine management environment, resilience and inclusive economic growth.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for giving her the opportunity to serve as the pioneer commissioner in the ministry, assuring that she will put in her best for the state to benefit from the vast resources in its blue economy.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria Ports Authority, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as well as a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Ambassador Boladei Igali, hailed the draft policy on marine and blue economy and pledged to collaborate with the Bayelsa state government to make the sector profitable not just to the state but also the country.
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